Artistic Mural in Asbury Park, NJ
Hello neighbors! 🙃 Hope 2026 is off to a great start!
I'm working hard on Wander Jersey this month based on your annual survey responses (still open through 1/31/26!). I've read every single one—thank you! This survey helps me create what YOU want, so if you haven't taken it yet, please spare 2 minutes and submit your thoughts.
What's coming? More social content, more videos, and a few secret surprises to banish boredom for good—all thanks to your feedback.
Speaking of social - are you following me on Facebook or Instagram? Youtube and Tiktok are on the way as well for more video content.
Now on to weekend fun! Remember, our full NJ event calendar is always available and updated several times a week.
ATLANTIC COUNTY
View all upcoming Atlantic County events ➜
Patacong Valley Model Railroad Open House
01/10/2026 - 01/11/2026
Richland
Free
Enjoy a life-like scaled regional railroad that takes you through parts of NJ and PA from the 1940s-1950s.
Visit Event Website →
BERGEN COUNTY
View all upcoming Bergen County events ➜
Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular
Through 01/11/2026 (this is the last weekend to catch the show!)
Bergen County Zoo, Paramus
$22 adult, $11 child, under 3 free
A creative holiday lantern event!
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NJ Eagle Festival
01/11/2026 · 10am-2pm
Meadowlands Environment Center, Lyndhurst
Free
Celebrate all things eagle with eagle walks and talks, information on eagles, and more.
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CAMDEN COUNTY
View all upcoming Camden County events ➜
Holiday Light Show at Diggerland
Through 1/11/2026 (this is the last weekend to catch the show!)
Diggerland, West Berlin
$38 per car
Animated lights through Diggerland will delight kids of all ages.
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Cherry Valley Model RR Open House
01/10/2026 - 01/11/2026 · 12-3pm
Grace Episcopal Church, Merchantville
Free
See realistic trains run on our large club layout. Donations are appreciated, event is not wheelchair accessible.
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CAPE MAY COUNTY
View all upcoming Cape May County events ➜
Wildwood Fishing & Boating Expo
01/09/2026 - 01/11/2026
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
$12 adults, $5 5-13, under 5 free
Over 80,000 square feet of fishing and boating vendors, free seminars, giveaways and more.
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ESSEX COUNTY
View all upcoming Essex County events ➜
Get the Led Out
01/09/2026 · 8pm
Prudential Hall NJPAC, Newark
$40+
Get the Led Out is a Led Zeppelin tribute band playing all the favorites!
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MERCER COUNTY
View all upcoming Mercer County events ➜
Morven Museum & Garden’s Festival of Trees
Runs through 1/11/2026 (Last weekend to enjoy this event!)
Morven Museum, Princeton
$10-$12, under 6 free
Beautifully decorated holiday trees adorn the Morven Museum.
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MIDDLESEX COUNTY
View all upcoming Middlesex County events ➜
Super Pet Expo
01/09/2026 - 01/11/2026
NJ Expo Center, Edison
$15+
Enjoy an outing with your pet! Fun for pets, shopping, adoption, education and more.
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MONMOUTH COUNTY
View all upcoming Monmouth County events ➜
Slippery When Wet Spirit of '86 Tour
01/09/2026 · 7-11:30pm
The Stone Pony, Asbury Park
$25+
For one night only, experience the entire Slippery When Wet album in its entirety!
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MORRIS COUNTY
View all upcoming Morris County events ➜
The Great Big Book Swap Festival
01/10/2026
Liquid Church, Parsippany
$5 at door, under 5 free
Swap pre-loved books, enjoy music, merch, & treats at this indoor swap with coffee house vibes.
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OCEAN COUNTY
View all upcoming Ocean County events ➜
Comic Book and Toy Show
1/11/2026 · 10am-4pm
Elks Lodge, New Egypt
$5 / 12 and under free
Dealers from all over NJ bring together collectibles from a variety of eras.
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PASSAIC COUNTY
View all upcoming Passaic County events ➜
Twelfth Night Party
1/10/2026 · 4-8pm
Dey Mansion Washington’s Headquarters, Hawthorne
$5
Come celebrate the end of the holiday season with a Twelfth Night Celebration.
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UNION COUNTY
View all upcoming Union County events ➜
Rahway Soup Stroll
1/10/2026 - 01/31/2026
Rahway
Enjoy a day strolling Rahway and enjoy free samples of soups from participating restaurants.
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A sad moment for the infamous Newark Eagle
After 75 years of watching over Newark, that massive Anheuser-Busch eagle sign off Routes 1 & 9 is finally coming down. The 15-ton neon landmark—the one that let you know you were home whether you were driving up the Turnpike or flying into Newark Airport—is getting shipped off to St. Louis now that the brewery's closing.
It's the end of an era for the city, and honestly, it's gonna look weird driving past there without seeing that big red glow lighting up the South Ward.
On a personal note, my grandfather worked as a bottler at the factory back in the 1950s and 1960s. I don’t have too much history of him, but do remember the random Anheuser-Busch items that would lay around my grandparents apartment. I was particularly fond of their bottle opener…..which I hope I can find someday!
Upcoming events we think you will like!
Fourth Wave Music Festival - Mar. 1st at House of Independents in Asbury Park
Red, White & Brew Fest - Mar. 7th at Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton
Ringling Brothers Circus - Mar. 19th at Prudential Center in Newark
Garden State Film Festival - Mar. 26-29th
NJ Becomes First State to Fund UFO Research Center 🛸
Remember those mysterious drones buzzing around last year? Well, New Jersey's response is peak Jersey: "We'll just build our own UFO research center!"
The state is getting ready to become the FIRST in America to fund a dedicated Center for the Study of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP). Senate Bill 4432 just cleared a major hurdle, setting aside $2.5 million annually for aviation education grants at NJ public universities. This will include funds specifically earmarked to establish this groundbreaking research center.
Why this is really cool.
We're talking REAL science: A university-based center means peer-reviewed research, not just folks with binoculars posting blurry videos on TikTok
Transparency matters: Unlike secretive federal programs, this would operate openly, because Jersey doesn't do secrets well anyway
We're perfectly positioned: With Newark Liberty, some of the nation's busiest airspace, and more military sites than you can shake a stick at, NJ is basically UAP Central
The bill (sponsored by Senator Raj Mukherji from Hudson County) also includes $1 million for helping air traffic controllers pay off student loans — because apparently someone realized we need people who actually know what's flying around up there.
Do you have feedback, questions, or a story you want me to share? Just reply to this email—I read every message, and your input helps make this newsletter better.
